I would like to give it a go but it's a lot of money if it isn't any good. Would it be ok for a complete novice??

Also when I do get a machine how easy is stringing? I look at pictures of machines and struggle to see if it's the right way up. I haven't got a clue. It just looks like a mechanical crab to me, I have no sense of how it will work. This one looks simple and cheap. I just want to know your thoughts on it? How is the best way for a person in England to learn?

This is a good, basic drop weight machine. It is grossly overpriced compared to what it can be purchased for in the US($135 plus shipping). Stringing is not real difficult to learn if you have some mechanical ability. Stringing is not very intuitive for most people to start with though. The instructions will get you started, but you'll probably botch the first couple of string jobs until you get the hang of it. You can watch the stringing videos on sptennis.com. Look at the one for the SP Swing machine, which is similar to the Gamma X-2. I think the best way to learn is to have an experienced stringer show you how to do it.

But unfortunately that is the cheapest I can get in England, P&amp;P, VAT and TAX would be about $120 because of the size, and the only way it would be cheaper was if I brought of a person as they can put "gift" on the box which will mean I only have to pay about $40, which wouldn't be too expensive.

Liam, get in touch with Israel Gefen down at Gefen Sports in London. He could possibly help you find something in your range and he is UK based. THere is a guy who I believe is up near the Boarders area who sells Stringway machines, but I forgot the contact info. For Gefen, it's gefensports.co.uk.

Liam- help me out. when the UK **** add said 195, was the "L" symbol for British pounds or was it for the Euro dollar? if it was the former it is $242 with today's exchange rates, if it was the Euro, then the equiv price it $362.00. Hell, you can even order it through Amazon cheaper than that.

As far as stringing difficulty, I have only been stringing 2 weeks with no prior knowledge and I have it figured out with just above average mechanical ability. I would string your racquets in 2 pieces at first, a lot less confusion to figure it out.

Liam,
I live west of London near High Wycombe. I have a three-year-old ATS SuperStringer II (can be viewed at www.atssports.com) with an extra set of floating clamps. I have strung approximately 20 racquets on the machine, and it is in excellent condition. I will sell it to you for £75.00, if you are willing to pick it up from my house. The machine comes with all the instructions and tools you need to start stringing. I'll even provide three sets of synthetic gut to get you started. Send me an email if you are interested.
Cheers,
Larry